Benjamin Wilson SUSTAINABLE FISHERIES GIT Sustainable Fisheries Goal

Benjamin Wilson

SUSTAINABLE FISHERIES GIT Sustainable Fisheries Goal Implementation Team Outcomes Fish Habitat Oyster Restoration Forage Blue Crab Abundance Blue Crab Management

PREVIOUSLY FUNDED PROJECTS FY 2014 Striped bass health indicator development and analysis of mycobacteriosis prevalence Analysis of blue crab survey data and reproductive output Forage Indicators and predator consumption profiles FY 2015 Drivers of forage population trends and consumption patterns Utilized mycobacteriosis prevalence data in Striped bass to explore connections between myco and environmental variables Analyzed multiple survey datasets, explored the 2011 yearclass failure; estimated female reproductive output Developed predator consumption profiles based on diet data, and 4 years of indicators/metrics to reflect forage status and trends Utilize multivariate models to analyze forage environment relationships and estimate regional patterns in predator consumption

PROCESS TO IDENTIFY FY 16 TOP PROPOSALS Requested proposals from full GIT Executive Committee ranked proposals Submitted top 3 proposals and Habitat GIT submitted joint proposal Aided in decision making process with GIT Chairs, Coordinators, and Staffers 2 SFGIT Proposals Funded 1. Evaluation of Environmental Factors Influencing Blue Crab Populations 2. Shell/Habitat Dynamics in Oyster Restoration and Fishery Management 1 Joint Proposal Funded 3. Watershed Group and Citizen Monitoring of Fish Habitat (with forage gear pilot study)

EVALUATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS INFLUENCING BLUE CRAB POPULATIONS Background: • Blue crabs are ecologically and commercially valuable • Managed by MD DNR, VMRC, and PRFC • Population estimates are derived from stock assessments and Winter Dredge Surveys Thecitythatbreeds. com • Data contributes to yearly Blue Crab Advisory Report which informs management decisions for all three jurisdictions However, more information is needed to improve understanding of environmental factors that influence blue crab populations.

EVALUATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS INFLUENCING BLUE CRAB POPULATIONS Project Proposal: • Synthesize and evaluate the impact of ecosystem factors on the blue crab stock at different life stages • Propose a framework to rank the impact of ecosystem factors • Investigate the connection between ecosystem factors and pass fishery performance and population estimate Ecosystem Factors • • • Habitat data Climate change projections Water quality data Predator/prey dynamics Oceanographic data • Provide recommendations for the applications of this data to fishery managers and CBP partners Ashley Lane

SHELL HABITAT DYNAMICS IN OYSTER RESTORATION AND FISHERY MANAGEMENT Background: • Oysters are at less than 1% of historic levels in the Chesapeake Bay, yet they are extremely valuable for ecosystem contributions and commercial value. • Managed by MD DNR, VMRC, and PRFC • Oyster Restoration Outcome states that 10 tributaries of the Bay will be restored by 2025. Oyster Recovery Partnership However, a challenge of oyster restoration is the availability and sustainability of oyster shell for use as substrate for oyster larva. • Oyster shell is limited in availability and costly • Environmental conditions may lead to loss or accumulation of oyster shell affecting restoration efforts

SHELL HABITAT DYNAMICS IN OYSTER RESTORATION AND FISHERY MANAGEMENT Project Proposal: • Develop a tool or application for the Chesapeake Bay to develop salinity dependent shell budgets for tributary-scale restoration sites • Provide an analysis of shell amount required to maintain sufficient shell and reef habitat • Estimate future shell resource needs for management methods and areas within the Chesapeake Bay • Develop a framework to apply this methodology to other areas in the Bay Matt Rath

WATERSHED GROUP AND CITIZEN MONITORING OF FISH HABITAT (WITH FORAGE GEAR PILOT STUDY) Background: • Submerged Aquatic Vegetation (SAV) provides food and habitat for a number of fish and shellfish, reduces wave energy, locks sediments in place, and functions as a carbon sink. • This project seeks to utilize citizen monitoring efforts to provide SAV location and density data for tributaries and rivers in the Chesapeake Bay. • Citizen scientists will test the suitability of various types of fish traps and benthic grabs in SAV and marsh habitats. • This pilot forage gear study will refine gear types and estimates used in future citizen monitoring efforts. Will Parson

COMMUNICATIONS CONNECTIONS Forage Bay 101 Video Currently in progress. Comms team has developed a storyboard, interview questions, and is currently filming available footage Emphasis on Ecosystem-based Fishery Management Comms team can relate topics to an ecosystem approach, drawing in connections where possible on ecosystem interactions, impacts of water quality, climate change and other factors Further Developing and Communicating Indicators when Approved Comms team is currently involved in the development and visualization of the proposed Oyster Indicator and Dashboard. Continued effort to make this product public friendly and accessible is needed. Publicizing Results of GIT-Funded Studies When requested, final reports and data series should be distributed among the wider partnership, and communicated to interested parties. Comms team can look for relevant opportunities to share data.

QUESTIONS? Jay Fleming

FORAGE INDICATORS STUDY